Man, Tim, last week was the fourth anniversary of the column and we missed it! This certainly doesn’t bode well for married life.
See, you look at it that way, I look at it as I’m having so much fun with this, it feels like no time has passed at all. It feels more like four weeks than four years. But I guess I’m just more committed to us than you are. Oh well.
Sigh………
Links
Tim, you linking anything this week?
In fact, I am. Last week, you might remember me referencing my comic shop’s twice yearly sale. Now, Wild Pig Comics 50% sale is here. All the info you need is at the link. If you are in the Jersey, come along and meet people like me, James Hatton, and artist extraordinaire Danielle Corsetto.
What I Read Last Week
(My store didn’t get their complete shipment, so I didn’t get to read everything I wanted to last week. But I’ll make up for it this week.)
Hellblazer #225-228 – Mina wasn’t the greatest fit as writer for this title, but it did feel like John was being John toward the end of this run. And the stuff about the football match and the guards was a clever twist.
After the Cape #1 – Really good read. I reviewed it, but I just wanted to rave about this book more; I think that everyone should pick up this issue. It’s a sold work of fiction.
I was debating whether or not to pick this up. Looks like I got my answer.
The Brave and the Bold #2 – Great looking cover. Waid has really managed to pull off some of the more hokey elements of this story and make them work. This is a team up book that doesn’t feel forced, and given its scope that’s an accomplishment.
The Flash #10 – First off Guggenheim has hit his stride. This book was actually fun to read. I didn’t necessarily dig the Cap Cold reveal (I’d have rather it been Chillblaine) but everything else in this issue was solid. And Diaz and Thibert make an amazing team. Really good issue, finally.
But Chillblaine is crazy dead, no?
Red Menace #5 – I was digging this book, but now that they keep putting stuff on Roy Cohn, it seems kind of cheap. Yeah, he was a d-bag in life, but c’mon this comic is a stretch. Apart from making him a supreme bad guy, this issue was enjoyable.
X-Factor #17 – Good issue. I’m liking seeing Jamie gather his dupes. It makes for some good reading. The stuff with Quicksilver and the militant was pretty ominous. Good read.
Ultimate Power #4 – Pretty good issue. I dug the balance between the Supreme and Ultimate stuff. I really dug the meeting of the minds. But I thought Ultimate Thor was a hippie.
Deathblow #4 – I really do love this book. There are some great characters here. Cray can be a riot and scary. Mr. Jiminy might be the best sidekick/mentor ever. Johnny and Martha are creepy and that cyborg was hilarious.
Funny, true story. I have a friend who’s IM name is Mr. Jiminy. Weird, right?
Justice Society of America #4 – Kind of a letdown. Vandal was defeated quickly and easily. Didn’t care for Damage’s inner monologue. Eh. I’m really just waiting for the reveal that both Rick got Jesse hooked on Miraclo because she lost her powers and needs to feel that heroic rush again. Oh and that last page slayed me again!
Oh, you and your “Jesse hooked on Miraclo†obsession.
I agree that Savage went down may too easy, but otherwise, I liked the issue.
Checkmate #12 – Nice to see the whole covert Amanda stuff is coming out. Glad to see that Bea’s murderous streak has been exposed. The art was pretty consistent given the number of artists.
Another darn good issue. I’ve got to stop enjoying this book so much or DC will definitely cancel it.
Y the Last Man #55 – The beginning of the end. What can I say? It appears as if everything will converge with Beth. I’m guessing that it ends in tragedy. Man, I don’t want this book to end.
52 Week Forty-Six – Nice to see Black Adam’s been immobilized by those wacky scientists. Great cover, and the stuff with Luthor and Everyman was classic. Way to try Lex!
As I’ve said elsewhere, I liked the issue until I thought about the whole real time thing. Then the damn thing fell apart for me. But, storytelling wise? Good stuff.
The Spirit #4 – Another good issue. The terrorist thing is interesting. But loved Silk Satin’s attitude. This book is a genuine treat.
Brandon R.’s question is long, windy, and so damn confusing you might lose your very mind
Here is one that is pure what would YOU find good or funny or creepy or whatever…Came to me while watching Back to the Future but kinda hard to explain but I am going to try.
First part…If you could take any 5 current heroes and 5 current villains and have them meet a earlier version of themselves which 5 of each would it be and why? Which earlier version would you have them meet and how would you handle it?
Now a second part, little more involved I think. Take any 5 current heroes and place them as they are now to fight back in the days of their early times and why the heroes you choose and how do you think they would react and fare. On the same token take 5 heroes from the past at any point which you pick and plop them down in the here and now facing current villains and problems. Which 5 and why them and how do you think they would do? Now do the same for 5 villains current and 5 villains past?
I.E. Taking the 60’s Batman and plopping him down to face the current bats foes the way they are now or having The Joker meet his early boner spewing self. Have the current Manhunter with all he has been through meet his early self or have the Current Flash go back in time and survive the old Flashes’ problems and people.
Um, yeah; I actually had to take the day off to wrap my head around this question. This is one deep question, which requires not only thought but also meditation.
It also reminds me of two comics The Flash #0 and Chronos #6. In the former Wally West goes back and visits himself as a child, in the latter the Tattooed Man tries to prevent himself from getting his powers. Both are very enjoyable issues.
I guess I’ll begin with the first part, of the first part.
The five current heroes that I’m picking are Nightwing, Bart Allen, Kyle Rayner, Alan Scott and Black Lightning. And for how it’s happening I guess I’ll use wacky Zero Hour-esque “time storms.”
I’m picking Nightwing because the guy’s had tons of drama and there are plenty of pivotal moments in his past to choose from. This guy’s had lost loves, lost friends and family; the guy’s had a tough life.
Bart Allen gets picked because he’s gone through so many changes, especially recently. Plus there are so many versions of the character for the current version to visit. And I really am fond of the character.
I’m picking Kyle because I think the contrast between Ion and Kyle the rookie would be interesting.
That’s actually the same reason I’m picking Alan.
And for Black Lightning, I really just picked him because I know just when I’d want the two to meet.
The way I see it is that the current Black Lightning goes back and visits himself around the time he got shot (Black Lightning #5), that way the past Black Lightning can just mark it up being a dream brought on as a result of the shooting. The current Black Lightning visits himself in the hospital room, and he not only comforts his past self, but he also sort of confesses about his regrets about what’s yet to come.
It wouldn’t be action packed, but it’d be a nice character piece.
For Nightwing I’d probably have the current version visit himself back when he was Robin, maybe around the time he was longing for the attention of Batgirl. I’m sure there was a time when he suffered a particularly brutal rejection from her that brought him down in the dumps. I think that, after everything Dick’s been through he’d not only know just what to say to cheer himself up, but he’d probably enjoy revisiting a time when a diss from a girl could ruin his week.
I guess Nightwing would have to adopt another identity, perhaps resurrecting “The Target.” I think that Dick would want to talk to himself, but not necessarily reveal his identity to himself or really influence himself too much. I think it’d be some great talking while swinging rooftops and busting the occasional head. I do think that it would end with young Dick realizing that he doesn’t have to grow up to be a brooding Batman.
I think that Ion’d like to go back to just when he got the ring. Maybe he’d disguise himself as his “uncle” and take Kyle and Alex out for lunch, to remind his current self of the good times and to give his past self that much more time with her.
I also see Kyle disguising himself as a villain and sparring with his past self, as a means of giving himself some more experience and skill.
For Bart, I definitely think that he should visit himself back when he was Impulse. I think that Bart would do it more as a warning to prevent things from happening (or maybe that’s just what I’d want him to do.) I really do think he’d be the most proactive of the bunch.
I see Bart trying to warn himself and Impulse ignoring or brushing him off. I think Bart would say something about savoring his time with Max, to which Impulse would respond “…and you expect me to believe you’re me from the future?” The two would go back and forth and Bart would have a new appreciation for what a handful he was as a kid.
I do think that Bart would try to impart wisdom in his younger self and it’d go pretty much in one ear and out of the other.
Finally I’d have Alan visit himself at a time early in his career when perhaps he thought about giving up. Maybe after he got trounced by Solomon Grundy, or maybe when he didn’t act fast enough to save a life. It’d be a moment when he doubted.
I think that Alan would give himself a pep talk. He’d tell himself how he served as an inspiration for generations of heroes and tell him about the wonderful family he’s going to have one day. He’d talk about the time he saved the world and the allies he’s going to make and the lifelong friends he’s going to have. It’d be your typical “wise old man talks up rookie” only in this case they’d be the same person.
Tim, before I go on to villains I need to take a breather. You want to give us your five heroes and when they meet themselves?
Holy dear God! Brandon…dude! I mean…wow.
If it wasn’t for the Nexus forums having already blown my mind with the likes of Nearly Naked Jericho and Red State Radu, let me tell you, you’d have done it. This question is…well, I don’t think incredible is too strong a word.
As for my five…GOOD GOD! Okay, sorry, back on task.
My five would be the current Dr. Mid-Nite, Connor Hawke, Wonder Woman, Donna Troy, and Gunfire.
Dr. Mid-Nite would be returning to the time just before his accident (which killed a woman and “cost†him his sight) to try to prevent himself from repeating those mistakes. However, over the course of trying to save himself, he’d realize that what happened had to happen and whatever he’s lost is at least equal to what he’s gained.
Connor Hawke would visit himself shortly after his father’s death and encourage himself to blaze his own trail. That he can be a hero and not necessarily have to be a Green Arrow to do it (or honor his father). Especially since he’s dad just going to come back and render him obsolete anyway.
Wonder Woman will be transported back to the killing of Max Lord so she could see from the outside that she literally had no other choice. Or perhaps she’d go all the way back to her early years and see how committed she was to changing things and realize how much more proactive (especially on women’s rights issues) she needs to be.
Donna Troy would cheat a bit and use her free pass to the past to see her child one last time, to hold him, and to build one last happy memory from the tragedy of his death. Her past self would be there, but be distracted by something else at the playground so current Donna could get some one-on-one time with the son.
Finally, Gunfire goes back in time, witnesses how awesome he truly is, and returns to the present more ready than ever to take the DCU by storm and make my lifetime.
Now, back to you Mathan.
Onto the villains!
I’ve got say that I’ve completely wracked my brain and I can’t really think of too many villains where the current version is vastly different from the how they were then debuted. Villains just don’t seem to have anywhere near the depth as the heroes do.
That said I’ve selected five characters to varying degree of villainy; Jason Todd, Captain Atom, Mordru, Lex Luthor, Dylan Battles
Captain Atom isn’t quite a villain, yet, but the in the Monarch armor he’s pretty imposing. I’d have the current Captain Atom meet up with himself around the Justice League Europe era. I think that the current Cap would think that this was a time when he was susceptible to converting to the dark side. While the younger version would put up a fight, the current Cap would use his mastery to neutralize his younger self’s powers. He’d tell Cap all about the sacrifices he’s made, the world he saw when he visited the Wildstorm Universe and about the battle of Bludhaven. He’d plant the seeds in hope of the younger version seeing the light sooner than he did.
For Mordru, I’d tweak the formula a bit by having the future version visit the current version, because we actually know more about his future (facing the Legion) than his current activities. The future Mordru would regale his present version with tales of what the future would holds and his accomplishments. The present Mordru would be fixated on the JSA, but his future self would tell me that ultimately they aren’t a problem. However he’d have a difficult time convincing his present self that a group of “meddling kids” would be a problem. The current Mordru would eventually cast a spell sending his older self back to the future, where the older version would utter something about youths respecting their elders.
I’d have the current Lex Luthor go back and try to convince Business Suit Lex that he should abandon business and focus on finding multi-colored kryptonite to attack Superman. The Business Suit Lex would vow to never end up like that and he never would, making me infinitely happy.
I’d have the current Jason Todd would meet up with is past self, right around Batman #421, just prior to “Death in the Family.” He’d bond with himself about the tough life (like he did recently with Speedy) and he’d try to turn Robin against Batman, subtly. He’d also give Jason a vague warning about the future and perhaps hint that he should look up his birth mother.
Dylan Battles, who some consider the star of Manhunter, would hook up with himself back when he was a lackey. Dylan tries to impart wisdom on his younger self. Stuff about MySpace, Google, Starbucks. Things like that. It’s a fun feel good story.
Tim, tis your turn to tackle the villains.
You’re right, Mathan. Villains are tough. Although heroes weren’t exactly easy.
My five are Pied Piper and Trickster (they’re doing the same thing so I’m counting them as one), Riddler, Metallo, Calculator, and Catman.
Pied Piper and Trickster would be transported to meet their past selves at their lowest point of villain-dom so they could come to realize that choosing the straight and narrow (or in Trickster’s case, the less supervillainy path) was their choice, not The Top’s brainwashing. Then, they can get back to being compelling supporting characters.
Riddler, forever bothered by the one huge thing he used to know but just can’t seem to remember anymore travels back to ask his pre-amnesia stricken persona what it is that he knows he once knew but can’t remember now. The past self, of course, reveals Batman’s identity to him and present Riddler returns to now, caught between his new life and his desire to cash in on this huge secret.
Metallo visits several past selves to help him to understand that he gets used ALL THE TIME, especially by Luthor. He returns to the present smarter and more dangerous for this new insight.
Calculator’s mission is more or less selfish. He continues to get bested by Oracle at every turn and figures that if he only started earlier and thus had more experience, he’d be Oracle’s better. He goes in the past to convince himself during his costumed era to give up that nonsense earlier and finds that his past self still loves the costumed life and the thrills that come with it.
Last but not least, an increasingly arrogant Catman is deposited by his teammates in the past to be reminded of what a failure he was and how complacency got him there. It is a lesson in humility courtesy of the Secret Six.
That’s all for me, what’d we got next Mathan.
Ok, at this point I’m going to save the other parts for the next column. If I answered every part fully, it’d probably take up the whole column. Personally I feel that the random nature of the column is one of its greatest strengths, so having one question take up the entire column would detract from that. My point is, for the sake of reading (and writing) I’m going to save the rest of the answers for next week.
That cool with you Tim?
Of course it is. If you ever make a decision like this again without consulting me first though…well, it won’t be pretty.
Nuke’s question is actually pretty apropos given his name
Did Nuclear Man from Superman IV ever make an appearance in the comics? I know I’m in the extremely slim minority here, but I enjoyed Nuclear Man, I thought he could have made a pretty good villain, if they wrote him correctly. Still…gotta love Nuclear Man….especially his mullet.
See what I was talking about with the random nature of the column?
Thankfully this movie happened before synergy was commonplace, thus Nuclear Man never made an impact on the DCU. I mean we’ve seen Superman get more Smallvilified and Renee Montoya jump from cartoons to comics. But Nuclear Man was stuck on the big screen, larger than life and making everyone, well almost everyone, cry.
Y’know that whole thing about “if they wrote him correctly” sparks something in my brain.
Tim, don’t you think that Nuclear Man would make for an excellent candidate for Revamping?
“This is Nuclear Man reminding you not to let them hold you down; reach for the stars.â€
The man who uttered the immortal words, “Destroy Superman?� Sure, I think the DCU could use him. If you think about it, Superman is always short on credible physical threats and Nuclear Man certainly was that. Plus, much like in the eighties when Cold War Fever had us all terrified of total nuclear war (thus making the Nuclear Man a fitting embodiment of our fears), we are now gripped by the terror of random acts of dirty bombs.
Thus, today’s Nuclear Man would be a thinker capable of throwing down with Superman who prefers to work behind the scenes, performing random acts of shocking (but limited in scope) violence that leaves Metropolis frozen in panic.
The struggle between he and Superman would be one that would test Clark mentally (in tracking the Nuclear Man and his disciples), physically (in stemming the loss of people in the attacks and the eventual throw down with Nuclear), and symbolically (his role as a beacon of hope would be stretched to its breaking point as he attempts to rally the population and keep everyone from collapsing into fits of despair or, worse, rage).
Huh…that started as a lark, but I have to say that I think that’d be a pretty good Superman story.
Glen never bets on black. Just don’t tell Wesley Snipes that.
In Brave and the Bold #2, Hal Jordan and Supergirl go to the planet Ventura, a planet sized casino. Has this place been seen in the DCU before?
Well yes and no.
Y’see Ventura was part of the tapestry of the 30th Century for the Legion of Super-heroes prior to the current relaunch. It was a place where people would visit (as witnessed in Legion (v.3) #1). It was also the home of the Luck Lords, a powerful group of fellas who are most notable for keeping an eye on Lightning Lad (as shown in Legion (v.3) #45.
So, yeah, Ventura was around, but it wasn’t shown in the modern DCU, just in the future. But given that Mark Waid is the current scribe behind the adventures of the Legion, but he also edited the Who’s Who in the Legion of Super-heroes with Karen “I’m in charge of Vertigo” Berger, it’s not really surprising that he’s the guy to introduce the planet to the modern DCU.
Come to think of it, he’s probably got a good reason for the Fatal Five to show up next issue.
Tim, what’s your take on The Brave & the Bold?
I’m not nearly as enamored of it as it seems many are, but I like it. I’m hoping that it soon tears free of its moorings and gives us the crazy team-ups that make Brave & Bold special, but for now, with the fairly typical/well known characters (the new Blue Beetle being, I suppose, an exception) it is doing a fine job.
Also, Jordan thinking Supergirl is hot? Not so strange, internet folk. There’s plenty to be outraged in comics about, especially when it comes to how comics portray women; Jordan thinking bad thoughts (and chastising himself for doing so) isn’t one of them.
The baby doll outfit Supergirl utilizes later though? Yeah, that’s fair game.
Stone King should be clearer in his questions
DC is better known for its teen heroes than the other guys. Yet, beside TT, Marvel seems to dominate the teen team book market. Runaways, Young Avengers, New X-Men, and soon, New Warriors, probably, are strong sellers and according to some, the best books Marvel publishes. Why do you think that is?
Why do I think what is? Why do I think some people think that those are the best books that Marvel publishes? I’m guessing because pretty much all of those titles are continuity free titles. Runaways is a book that, if I’m not mistaken, featured all original characters. Young Avengers characters are equally original, but with more ties to the Marvel U. Those two books are like new canvases; creators can go wherever they want, they aren’t tied to previous continuity, they are creating continuity. New X-Men is just another X-book. And it’s clearly too soon to know what’s up with New Warriors.
Wait, did you mean “why does Marvel dominate the teen team book market?” Well, I think that Young Avengers belongs to the Avengers family of books and the same goes for New X-Men. Runaways is the only book, in my eyes, that’s not part of (or linked to) an already successful line. They’re not quite spin-offs, but they’re close.
“Why no, we never did notice how pretty we are. Funny, isn’t it?
I’m sure that DC could attach a “Young”, “New” or “Jr.” to an established team book and it’d be successful.
Oh, you meant “why are there more teen groups in the Marvel U?” That’s easy, because regardless of what set off Civil War, Marvel heroes don’t care about kids with powers running around and causing a ruckus, unsupervised. They think it’s completely acceptable to let the kids “do their thing.” Marvel heroes are like those parents you see out in public who just let their child run wild and throw food all over the place because “kids will be kids.”
In the DCU however, heroes realize that younger heroes need supervision. The JSA looks after younger heroes, and the Teen Titans have older members in the group. Even Young Justice had both Red Tornado and Snapper Carr.
Ok, so the Legion of Super-heroes are kind of unsupervised, but its a thousand years from now, kids are completely different.
Tim, “why do you think that is?” (Whatever “that” is.)
Someone’s in a bit of a mood today…
Dealing with the permutations of the question in reverse order, I actually kind of agree with you on your last point Mathan. Perhaps not with the same crotchety old man vibe you put on it (seriously, you did everything but shake your fist and say, “Got off my yard, you damn kids!â€), but the meat of your point is accurate.
A photographic representation of Mathan circa right now.
In the Marvel Universe, in general, no one is as enamored of their predecessors as they are in the DCU. Sure, a few of the Young Avengers are all fanboy about the Avengers, but it is more like a celebrity thing. I think Clive Owens is damn cool. However, I couldn’t care less what his opinion is of what I choose to do with my time. Same thing for Marvel’s teen heroes. They might think Cap or Spidey or whomever is cool, but if any of them said, “No, no more heroing for you,†the teens of Marvel acts like teens and think, “Screw you old man, I’ll do what I want.â€
Teen heroes of the DCU, however, have more of a mentor relationship with their elders. Despite DC’s heroes being spread further about, they spend a lot more time with each other than Marvel’s heroes do and thus teen heroes typically answer to their elders and are indoctrinated into a world where that’s the way it is. Thus, it is more like one’s relationship with a cool parent, other family member, or close adult. You look up to them, but you also value their opinion on your activities. You might be rebellious, but you are rarely wholly dismissive of the opinions of the elder heroes. For this reason, the only real act is town is the “official farm team†of the Teen Titans.
Marvel dominates the teen team book because a.) they have more options, b.) they did some damn smart marketing on Young Avengers and the product was quality enough to rise to the level of the hype, c.) Runaways had an excellent base of fan support and Marvel took a smart gamble on sticking with it and pumping up its profile, and d.) New X-Men has the word “X-Men†in the title.
Finally, I would say there is a variety of reasons why a lot of people point to Marvel’s teen books as the best books they publish. The first is, obviously, they are damn good. New X-Men is utilizing the concept of Xavier’s school, which has been part of X-Men mythos forever, better than anyone has since New Mutants in the 80’s. Young Avengers filled a void no one even knew existed and did so with excellent art and writing that was not only erudite but did an excellent job of weaving in past Marvel continuity without ever overwhelming the books. Runaways is one of the best books on the stands and has been since it debuted. Plus, that Buffy guy is starting to write it now and that can’t hurt.
Second is the diversity of product they represent. Runaways are “real†teens trying to make their way in a world that they, more or less, have no interest in. We are essentially watching them become adults literally and metaphorically before our eyes, and it is the thing they most fear. There’s plenty of superpowers in it, but the focus is on them as people, not heroes.
New X-Men is all about a group of people trying to find a place in the world that would rather they didn’t exist at all by isolating themselves from that world. What’s worse is that world still occasionally breaks through and usually kills a few classmates in the process.
Young Avengers are legacy heroes (of sorts) who would like to live up to the reputation of the heroes that came before them and are going to do it whether those heroes like it or not. It is the ultimate teen-parent conflict with capes.
The continuity thing that Mathan mentions, in the case of Young Avengers and Runaways, is no doubt helpful as well.
Stone King was apparently engaging in subterfuge.
My real question or challenge to you though is creating another teen team book for DC. Choose the characters, their reason for existing, that sort of thing.
Wait, you mean that I just wrote all of that stuff and tried to decipher your meaning for nothing? There wasn’t a real question there? You’re a crafty one Stone King. I’ll be keeping my eye on you.
Speedy, Empress, Anima, Terra, Batgirl, Black Alice and Wonder Girl.
Basically it’s like this: in the aftermath of Amazons Attack Batgirl starts spreading it around the DCU that Batman is like totally disrespecting the memory of Spoiler by not having her memorialized in the Batcave. Being a sidekick herself Speedy is really irked about that. Both Anima and Empress know what it’s like to have accomplishments ignored and Terra has an idea what it’s like to not be mourned. So they band together and recruit both Black Alice and Wonder Girl because they know that every good team needs a powerhouse and a magical powerhouse.
They manage to get Wonder Girl away from the Titans because they show their allegiance to Wonder Woman. The team didn’t dig how Wonder Woman got hung out to dry over the whole “killing Max Lord” thing, and they decide to take a more proactive stance as female heroes and role models. They’re like the Outsiders, but with a feminist stance. Their first target is an intervention for Supergirl, who obviously has an eating disorder.
And the team would be called “Pandora’s Explorers.” (I’m not serious about the name, I just honestly couldn’t think of a name that screamed “Grrrl Power.”)
Tim, how does your teen book look and who’s in it?
I think I might be taking this thing a touch more seriously than you are (just a touch) and here is what I’ve come up with.
My team is began by Mary Marvel. After the events of Countdown and seeing how the “established†generation of heroes reacted to her Eclipsing, Mary sees the need for a teen team that is for teens by teens, not just some get together spot for the sidekicks of the DCU. To this end, she reaches out to several teen heroes who she sees as needing a helping hand, not the judgment of the establishment.
They are:
Dodge– The teenaged teleported who bedeviled Robin before a costly error put him into a coma. He’s awake now and more determined that ever to be a hero, especially as he views Robin as being more concerned about himself and his glory, as opposed to the community at large. Mary likes his drive and sees how he easily his distaste for Robin can be twisted into villainy.
Son of Vulcan– Recruited by a mentor who was dead moments later, Vulcan has, more or less, seen every guidepost to help him become a full blown hero taken away from him. He has the will, but no real idea of the means and every day on the streets is taking its toll on him physically. Mary sees him as possibly a banner teen hero and he only needs shelter and fellow heroes to guide him on that path.
Spoiler– Remember how she was dead? Yeah, not really. It turns out that Leslie Thompkins is not a murderous psychopath, just a liar. When the brutally injured Spoiler was brought to the good doc, Leslie struck a deal with her. Leslie would tell Batman that Stephanie was dead and for the next year she would show Spoiler that you can help the world without vigilantism.
Well, the year is up and Stephanie is unconvinced. She finds Leslie to be just as manipulative as Bruce and their inabilities to see the other side of their argument to be just as frustrating. So, she’s left Leslie’s tutelage and made her way back to the world of costume heroing, driven to demonstrate to both of her mentors that they’re wrong about her. Naturally, she’s still enamored of Robin and thus is in constant conflict with Dodge. Mary views her as a powerful symbol of both the best and worst potentials of being a teen hero and a wonderful addition to the team.
Hot Spot– The former Joto was part of both the ill-fated Atom version of the Titans and the ill fated OYG version of the Titans. He feels slighted, like he only gets the call when the team is in dire straits and would rather not play their game anymore. On the other hand, he knows he’s always functioned best and felt most comfortable being a hero with a group of peers getting his back. He hears of Mary’s team being formed but figures, yet again he’ll be passed over. When Mary shows up at his door, he’s bowled over. Now he finally feels like he’s being taken seriously as a hero and his performance has increased accordingly.
Prysm– When Hot Spot comes on, he suggests his former teammate Prysm. Her early life was a lie and the only true stability she ever experienced was as a Titan. He feels a responsibility to reach out to her and they do so. She accepts but is very distant and does not discuss what has happened to her during her years off the hero radar. Mary worries that she’s made a horrible mistake with this recruit.
Talon– Talon is brutal, violent, and mean. He looks down on other teen heroes and has no qualms about dispensing his viciously sarcastic sense of humor on his peers. So why the heck did Mary bring him in?
Aquagirl– Now going by a different name (Riptide? Something water related but not Aquaman related. And probably better than Riptide.) Aquagirl has continued to be a hero in Sub Diego. However, she was more or less abandoned to the role as has grown up quick and hard because of it. She’s caring, respectful, and honest, but feels much the same way about the “establishment†as Mary does. They didn’t help her out when Aquaman went missing and they made no effort to find her wayward mentor, so screw them. Sometimes, you’ve got to look at for yourself and your friends and not count on anyone else.
The New Guy– Well, that won’t be his name. But he will be a brand new character. Finding several yellow glowing fragments on the pier, avid rock collector Darryl Holder scoops them up and tosses them in his small velvet rock pouch. He promptly forgets about them.
Two days later, on his way to his magnet school, he’s jumped by a group of neighborhood kids who are constantly mocking him for thinking “he’s too good for his people now†by going out of town for his education. Without warning, they are rendered unconscious by a yellow explosion of energy.
Sure enough, the fragments are remnants of a yellow power ring. Referring to them as his Elfstones (he’s a big fantasy book nerd, especially Terry Brooks), Holder starts off by “righting†the various wrongs he’s feels have been perpetrated on him. He has no real interest in being a hero at all.
Mary sees a news report and instantly recognizes the energy signature. After several nights of hunting, Talon turns up Holder and Mary offers him a part on the team. Can he be molded into a hero or is the inherent evil of the yellow ring too strong?
And that’s my team. Essentially, they view themselves as the hard scrabble neighborhood kids who now who things really are and have to fight for everything. They see the Titans as being the upper crust, prep school guys who have had all the advantages handed to them and don’t appreciate what they’ve got. Conflict with the Titans is, of course, inevitable, but the focus would be more on what it means to be a teen hero in the DCU when you are not amongst the chosen few and what it takes to still keep doing the job.
Soak 1313 dreams a little dream of the Justice Society
Who is the girl with the star on her cheek at the end of the newest issue of JSA?
This is probably why I love Justice Society of America so much; because it seems like every other issue ends with member of the Legion of Super-heroes.
The girl with the star on her cheek is none other than Dream Girl from the 30th Century’s Legion of Super-heroes.
Nura Nal from Naltor, has the native ability to catch glimpses of the future via a waking trance. But she was really talented with her ability. She was a member of the Legion and even served as leader.
Oh, and she had a long romance with Star Boy aka the current Starman.
I know you’re probably really broken up about Mark Waid leaving the current Legion title, Tim. It’s cool; you can let it all out.
I’m…I’m just not ready yet to deal with it.
Dhaise doesn’t have a clue
Just when you two thought you’d never have to answer a War Crimes related question again….
What’s the current status of the Cluemaster?
It’s not a disguise…Cluemaster is just playing coquettish.
Um, he’s still out there somewhere. I’m guessing that DC probably wants to keep the character off the radar so that they don’t have to deal with too many “why doesn’t Steph have a memorial in the Batcave” comments. If Cluemaster comes back questions get asked.
But I think it’d be really cool for Cluemaster and Red Hood to team up. I mean, they’ve both got beef with Batman over dead Robins. Cluemaster has a beef with Batman for getting his daughter killed and Red Hood has a beef with Batman for not avenging his death. Seems like a match made in the Quad Cities to me (the Quad Cities isn’t Heaven, but it’s not quite Hell either.)
Hey, does anyone else remember the Quad City DJs? That had that song, The Train? My sister owned the cassingle of it and I loved it for two reasons. One, at some point they say something to the effect of “I gotta walla in the back of my Impala†and my uncle’s last name was Gotowala (sounds the same) so that was amusing. Two, track B was an instrumental version of the song that actually lasted longer than the version with lyrics despite it being almost entirely train noises. Awesome stuff.
Anyway, back to your answer already in progress.
Ooh, or maybe Cluemaster can be the benefactor behind Pandora’s Explorers. Nah, that’d never work; they could never work for a man, it goes against everything they believe in.
Tim, what do you think Cluemaster is doing? Or is it “The Cluemaster?”
It’s just Cluemaster and beyond his ridiculous bring orange costume (what is he, a crossing guard or a criminal?) he’s a-okay with me. I always liked that he was a sort of corporate Riddler. He did the clue thing but he didn’t actually “need†to and he clearly lacked the love of the gimmick to be really good at it.
And on that note the column is done.
Next week will feature the rest of Brandon’s answers, dissed characters, Doctor Thirteen and the Blasters?
And your questions, provided you send them to me. You either email me or post them thread. You register, you post a question. It’s quick and painless.
“Between the click of the light and the start of the dream.”
